I apologize it took me so long to post this chapter. I have been busy these few weeks with doctor and physical therapy appointments. I'm currently in the process of trying to get disc replacement surgery as I have had horrible low back pain for four years (it took this long to find out what was actually wrong) and I am only 22. It has been hard to deal with, some days more than others and my thoughts are not always on my stories anymore. I do have chapters prewritten for this story, I simply haven't been online to post them or even enjoy other fanfiction. I hope you will still enjoy this story, slow updates or not, for I have a lot of good things planned! Anyways, enough of the rambling. I'm sure you've been eager for the next part (or maybe not) but either way here we go!
The small army of elves move down the forest path in a long line, their voices hushed and quiet as they talk amongst one another. None dare speak too loud and most find the worry in their hearts prevents them from conversing at all. Glorfindel and Elrohir are both loved dearly by the residents of Imladris in equal measure. Despite the sun now sitting high upon the blue sky, its rays warming the air around them, the same chill from last night fills them.
Lord Elrond can feel the anxious energy flowing from his soldiers as he rides near the front of the line, his gaze occasionally falling on his son riding quietly beside him. Elladan has said nothing more than a few words since their departure, keeping blank eyes focused on the road ahead. He's concerned for his son but knows there is little comfort he can offer. For how is he supposed to ease the worries of another when his own has his heart pounding at a quick pace against his chest.
He tries not to think of his beautiful wife; her brilliant smile and loving eyes always filled with light. He tries to force away the memories of her once ethereal form covered in blood and dirt, her regal hair a mess of knots and grime. The way her shaking hands had gripped his as tears poured down her bruised face. He remembers the taste of her trembling, cold lips as she kissed him one last time. Despite his gift for healing, he was not able to save his Celebrian and was forced to watch her sail to Aman without him. He can not witness the same thing happen to his son. Or his friend, he thinks sending a worried glance at Erestor who had moved to ride beside him when morning had first started approaching.
The advisor has not said anything for hours, while the elf has always been on the quiet side, the tense muscles and cold eyes leave him slightly worried. He has not seen such a look on his close friend's face in a long time. If he recalls correctly that moment had involved a certain injured golden-haired elf as well. Glorfindel seems to tug at the closed-off councilor's heartstrings in a way no one else can. It's nearly amazing how close the two have become considering they have very different personalities that would not usually co-exist so easily. Not that it had always been that way.
When Glorfindel had first arrived to them, a ghost from the grand murals and tales, he was quickly accepted and found many friends. He smiled and laughed with both the soldiers and council members but there was one who never seemed amused or nearly as pleased with his presence as everyone else.
Erestor has never been one to easily trust others after his once beloved home in Eregion fell at the hands of Sauron. They had trusted the deceivingLord of Gifts' which had resulted in the city of blacksmiths, merchants, scribes, and craftsmen falling in fire and ruin. Erestor had lost many he loved and Elrond knows even to this day memories will occasionally come back to haunt his advisor's dreams.
Due to this, the raven-haired elf had very strong feelings about the elf sent by the Valar. Simply because it had been the same thing Sauron had claimed that ended up fooling them all. Although after some time, and meddling on his part, Erestor learned that Glorfindel was not here to trick him but give them aid as he promised.
Their friendship didn't truly begin until a couple hundred years ago when he had sent them to deliver food and medicine to a small village nearby. While the wagon was able to make it safely to the town the journey had gone undeniably south, to say the least. He can still remember the day that broke the ice around Erestor's heart allowing the beginning of what is now a strong brotherhood to form.
Elrond had been inside his chambers that day as heavy snow was dusting the land. A book he had read many times before was left unattended in his lap as he had been watching the white flakes of ice fall while lost in thought. He likely would have sat there for hours had it not been for the panicked shouts in the courtyard.
He hadn't even bothered putting his book away as he left the room swiftly to see what was causing such an alarm. He had been frozen in shock upon seeing Erestor's lithe frame atop the large white stallion belonging to Glorfindel. Said elf had been gripped tightly in the councilors hold, body lack and eyes closed. He quickly learned the Vanya had received a severe leg wound, that had nearly taken his life were it not for the advisor's tireless work on the journey to keep him alive.
Elrond had been surprised when Erestor refused to leave Glorfindel's side until a few days after when he was awake and safe from death. He later learned that, despite all the smiles and infectious laughs, the golden elf suffers much the same as his advisor. He's even caught them sitting quietly together at night on a secluded bench, talking quietly of the nightmares that had left them unable to find sleep again.
Erestor does not speak often of his past and the memories that bring him pain at night. Glorfindel is much the same, for while he is all too eager to tell his wondrous tales of old, he never shares the ones closest to his heart. They stay locked away only uttered on the darkest of nights when he can no longer hold back the emotions brought forth from a life once lived and lost. The advisor will share his own nightmares on those occasions as they share common demons and pain. They are the only two who have experienced enough of the same things to be able to find comfort and healing in each other's words.
Elrond can not imagine how it would affect Erestor were Glorfindel to pass once more into the Halls of Mandos. Although a part of him knows the advisor would likely sail to Valinor without a second thought. Erestor has already lost much, they all have, but his suffering still cuts deep and the only one who has been able to fully lift the darkness surrounding the councilors heart is the golden Vanya.
He's pulled from his thoughts by a shout rising through the air. One of the elves that had been sent ahead to find an area to rest is hurrying towards them, his hands gripping a bridle that leads another horse beside him. The striking white hair and the quiet tinkle of bells on the saddle are instantly recognizable. As the younger rider comes to a stop he glances towards Asfaloth before Elrond with a worried look, "I found him with his reigns caught on a tree, my Lord. There were no signs that Glorfindel was nearby."
"We are still a days ride from where we were attacked. Asfaloth must have been heading home in a panic," Elladan mutters quietly beside the elven lord before speaking much louder, "Was my mare nowhere to be seen as well?"
"I'm afraid not my Lord," the soldier responds sadly, knowing how deeply Elladan cares for his small black horse.
"We will continue forward and bring Asfaloth with us. With any luck we will run into Gale along the way," Elrond says lightly, hoping to lift his son's spirits if only a little. Elladan nods, saying nothing else as the procession moves on. The white stallion is handed off to Erestor, who eagerly takes the reigns so the younger elf may patrol ahead once more. Everything is quiet around them, the birds and whispered conversations floating through the air in harmony with the horse's steady hoof falls. It would be peaceful were it not for the worry weighing on them all.
Erestor is not sure if he's glad they have finally stopped to rest or not. His muscles are sore as he has not ridden for this many hours straight in a long time. The ache in his heart is much worse though, making him want to hop on his horse and continue on. Although that would not be fair to the faithful being who is just as foreign to long trips as he is himself. He glances towards his mare, Luinefalle. A patient and gentle blue roan, who is grazing peacefully on the lush grass. Beside her is Asfaloth who eats more eagerly beside her, likely hungry after being stuck to a tree for who knows how long.
It has been over a week since the golden-haired warrior left atop the stallion and four since the day Elladan says they got attacked. Four days without any clue if the Vanya is still drawing breath or not. He has not been able to calm his racing mind and the sight of the faithful white horse without his master only causes his throat to tighten in fear and worry. He does not want to come upon his friend's dead body, could not bear to see those joyous eyes fogged and snuffed of life.
Dread and grief already sit in the bottom of his stomach, churning in a storm that leaves him anxious and uneasy. No matter how hard he tries to relax against the rock behind him, softened by his cloak, sleep evades him. Instead, he stars up at the stars netted across the sky which is partially blocked out by the stretching shadows of branches.
Someone approaches and sits quietly beside him, he does not need to look to know it is Elrond. The elven lord does not say anything, giving his presence as a form of comfort to his friend instead. Most of the other elves are asleep by now aside from those appointed to keep watch and the lone few who talk or sing quietly beside small fires.
"Glorfindel promised me he would return safely. Have you ever broken a promise?" Erestor asks suddenly, quickly bowing his head when he realizes the informality of his words. "I apologize I just..."
"Yes," Lord Elrond interrupts causing the advisor to look at him with a start, "I have broken quite a few, though I never meant to. Failing to protect Lady Celebrian was one of them," he explains softly.
Erestor nods, looking down at his dirt-covered boots in thought. "Glorfindel once told me that the problem with promises is that some are meant to be broken. No matter how hard we try we can not keep all the oaths we swear."
"He is wise beyond our years but can still act like an elfling," Elrond jokes fondly causing a smile to pass Erestor's face.
"I truly feel bad for those who had to train him, he tells me that he and Ecthelion were a terror growing up."
"I would not be surprised if they were much the same as Elladan and Elrohir," the elven lord responds before falling silent at the thought of his missing son.
"We will find him Elrond," Erestor whispers quietly, gazing up at the stars once more as he prays to the Valar his words come true. "We will find them both."
I hope you like the chapter, okay I just wanted to say I know Erestor's horse name is weird and I probably put the words together wrong, but her name is supposed to mean blue-foam because I think blue roans can sometimes look like they have foam on them! Just a cool little thing I wanted to add I hope you liked it!